This New Jersey bill (S 3069) expands eligibility for criminal record expungement by removing two key restrictions: it eliminates the previous cap on the number of convictions a person may have expunged, and it removes the limit on how many times someone can receive expungement. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with criminal records who previously faced barriers due to these caps. Key provisions include treating certain marijuana-related offenses as disorderly persons violations (not crimes) for expungement purposes, and allowing applications after five years from the most recent conviction, payment of fines, or release from incarceration. The bill aims to make the expungement process more accessible for individuals with multiple convictions.
New Jersey's S 1865 adds seven specific illicit fentanyl analogs - Furanyl Fentanyl, 3-Methylfentanyl, 3-Methyl Butyrylfentanyl, Valeryl Fentanyl, Norfentanyl, Para-Fluorobutyryl-Fentanyl, and Carfentanyl - to Schedule I of the state's Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. This formalizes their current administrative classification (already in effect since 2017), meaning these substances are now legally treated as having high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals handling these compounds, requiring strict regulatory controls. Prescription fentanyl remains classified separately as a Schedule II substance.
This bill (S 455) is mislabeled in its title; the actual text amends **special probation rules for substance use disorder cases**, not expungement statutes. It creates a new "special probation" option for individuals with substance use disorders convicted of certain offenses (excluding serious violent crimes), requiring a court to assess their condition, confirm the offense was drug/alcohol-related, and ensure no prior violent convictions. If approved, offenders must enter licensed residential or nonresidential treatment (including medication-assisted therapy) with regular drug testing, replacing incarceration. The bill directly affects people with substance use disorders who meet strict eligibility criteria, aiming to reduce prison time by prioritizing treatment over punishment. *(Note: The bill's title incorrectly references "expungement" despite the text focusing solely on probation and treatment programs.)*
Bill S 103 creates new criminal offenses for the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners in New Jersey. It makes possessing such a device without a lawful purpose a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail), and using it for unlawful purposes a second-degree crime (felony punishable by up to $150,000 fine or 5-10 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who handle credit card scanners without authorization, such as those attempting to steal card data. Key provisions define "credit card scanner" broadly as any device that reads, records, or transmits card information, and establish specific penalties for each violation. The law takes effect two months after enactment.
This bill adds xylazine to New Jersey's Schedule III controlled substances list, meaning it is now classified as a controlled drug with specific legal restrictions. The exception explicitly allows veterinarians to prescribe, administer, or dispense xylazine for animal care without violating the law. Illegally possessing, distributing, or using xylazine would become a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $35,000. This change directly affects people who misuse xylazine outside of veterinary contexts, while leaving veterinary practice unaffected.
This bill adds 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a psychoactive compound found in Kratom, to New Jersey's Schedule I list of controlled substances. It directly affects anyone possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or using 7-OH in the state. Under the law, 7-OH would be classified as a substance with "high potential for abuse" and "no accepted medical use," making it illegal for non-medical purposes. Possession of 1 ounce or more would be a second-degree crime, while smaller amounts would be a third-degree crime under New Jersey's drug laws.
This bill classifies tianeptine (a medication sometimes misused for its opioid-like effects) as a Schedule II controlled substance in New Jersey, meaning it now requires a prescription for medical use and is strictly regulated. It directly affects individuals who possess or distribute tianeptine without authorization, including those misusing it recreationally. The key provision adds tianeptine explicitly to Schedule II, requiring prescriptions and making unauthorized possession a crime. The bill cites the Drug Enforcement Administration's concern about tianeptine's rapid rise in illicit use and associated health risks like respiratory depression and overdose. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.249, so it is now law.)
This bill increases penalties for fentanyl offenses under New Jersey law. It classifies possessing or distributing five ounces or more of fentanyl (including impurities) as a first-degree crime, mandating a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence without parole eligibility, plus fines up to $500,000. The law specifically targets fentanyl trafficking, raising the threshold for the most severe penalties compared to other drugs like heroin or methamphetamine. It directly affects individuals involved in manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl in quantities meeting the new thresholds. The bill amends existing New Jersey statute N.J.S.2C:35-5 to implement these stricter penalties.
This bill (S 1514) creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly endanger children via social media or other electronic communication. It amends New Jersey law to specifically prohibit using electronic means (including social media platforms) to engage in conduct likely to harm a child’s physical, mental, or moral welfare, or to direct children into dangerous activities. Those with legal care responsibilities for the child face second-degree charges, while others face third-degree charges. The law explicitly excludes internet service providers protected under federal law (Section 230) from these penalties. It directly affects anyone using digital platforms to endanger children under 18, with penalties applying to distribution, possession, or storage of child sexual abuse material shared online.
S 1268 would have added criminal penalties for selling or possessing machine gun conversion devices - parts that turn standard firearms into automatic weapons. It directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or keep these parts, making such actions a criminal offense under New Jersey's firearm laws. The bill amended existing definitions to explicitly include "any part designed and intended solely for converting a firearm into a machine gun" within prohibited items. However, the bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by a prior law (P.L.2025, c.363).
